Re-register the birth of your child

There are three types of re-registration for a child born in England or Wales.

There are three types of re-registration for a child born in England or Wales:

  • Re-registration following the natural parents' marriage to show the child as a child of marriage or civil partnership. This type of re-registration is a legal requirement.
  • Re-registration to add the natural father's details where the existing record doesn't show any father/parent and the child's natural parents haven't formed a marriage or civil partnership with each other since the child's birth.
  • Re-registration following permission granted by the General Register Office - this is where you have been contacted by the General Register Office and you have been given a case reference number which starts with the letter C.

If you wish to change the child's surname, it can be changed to the same as the mother, the natural father, or any combination of the two, as long as both parents agree to the change. Where the child is aged 16 years or over, their written consent will be required. You can't change a child's forename(s) at re-registration.

There is no charge for the re-registration of a birth.

New birth certificates can be bought for £11 per certificate.

What you need to know...

Before you book a re-registration appointment, complete the appropriate application form for the type of re-registration you need.

Re-registration following the natural parents' marriage

  • Bring a completed LA1 form, signed by both parents. Bring one completed form for each child to be re-registered.
  • Bring your original marriage certificate. If you weren't married in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, we'll need to refer your application to the General Register Office for authorisation before any re-registration can take place.
  • One parent is required to attend the Register Office for the re-registration.

Re-registration to add the natural father's details

This type of re-registration gives the natural father parental responsibility for the child. This responsibility can only be removed by a court. You may wish to seek legal advice on this prior to your application.

  • Bring a completed GRO 185 form, signed by both parents. Bring one completed form for each child to be re-registered.
  • Both parents are required to attend the Register Office for the re-registration. If there's a reason both parents cannot attend together, please contact the Register Office to discuss your situation.

Re-registering a child born to two female parents

Please contact the Register Office if you have any questions regarding birth re-registration.

Appointments

We are now resuming re-registration appointments.  Please complete the form and a member of our team will contact you within 10 working days.

Re-register a birth